Fewer travel as fuel, food costs rise
Source: El Paso Times (Original Article)
Video: Music Under the Stars 06/15
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With gas prices reaching a record high average of almost $4 per gallon and food prices increasing, some El Pasoans are Staying close to homeAre economic concerns leading you to search for cheaper entertainment options? Yes NoVoting Requires Javascript
expected to keep their summer travel money in their pocketbooks and flock to local attractions instead. Low-cost local recreation facilities, including Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World, Western Playland and the El Paso Zoo, are prepared to have more visits. Free local events, such as Alfresco! Fridays and Music Under the Stars, which began this weekend, are expected to draw thousands this summer.Ruby Villa, who was at Music Under the Stars with her family Sunday, said she has felt the gas crunch, spending at least $100 per week on gas.”We could be spending all that money on something else, something more useful like family vacations and preparing for baby,” she said as she rubbed her belly, which has housed her child for two months. “I do Advertisementfeel sad because we like to travel a lot and with the gas prices it cuts back on a lot that we can do.”Ruben Escobar said he and his family usually take summer trips to different places, but thought twice about going out of town this summer. He spends between $100 to $150 per week on gas traveling between Fabens, Clint and El Paso for daily errands.Just a year ago, the unleaded gas price in El Paso was $3.18 — 72 cents less than the current cost. As of Thursday, the statewide gas average had increased to $3.93 and the New Mexico gas average had increased to $3.96, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report Web site. Data from the Web site also showed gas has reached an average of $4.06 nationwide.Local travel agents say they have seen neither an increase or decrease in the number of people seeking their services. “A lot of people are looking more for Free Credit Cards packages,” said Jim Hampton, a travel …continue reading